By the time Akira Fujimiya finished reading the manga, Yukinoshita Yukino and Yuigahama Yui had also finished their conversation with Hiratsuka Sensei.
Shizuka Hiratsuka carring a box of snacks and raised her eyebrows when she saw Akira taking her place.
Akira tactfully gave up his seat, without saying anything.
Shizuka snorted coldly, walked to her seat, and sat down. Then she looked at Kawasaki Kaika with a smile.
"This is the snack your Yui nee-san bought. Let's try it together."
When Kaika heard this, she glanced at her sister beside her.
Saki Kawasaki nodded but had some doubt in her eyes.
Could it be that Shizuka-sensei thought there was nothing wrong with their situation?
After receiving her sister permission, she turned towards Yui ,who was smiling softly.
"Thank you, Yui nee-chan," Kaika said.
"You're welcome," Yui replied, her smile gentle, soft.
Akira looked at Yukino, as if asking about the result of their conversation.
Yukino said nothing, but a mysterious smile played on her lips.
Akira knew she was hiding something and would not tell him directly.
He thought silently, considering several possibilities.
.....
When the sun began to set, Yukino walked into the Kawasaki family kitchen.
Saki Kawasaki knew Yukino had something to say and did not refuse her help.
While, Yuigahama Yui played with building blocks with Kawasaki Kaika in the yard with Akira continued receiving guidance (beating) from Shizuka-sensei.
"After you pay off the money you owe Akira-kun, do you plan to leave Sakurasou, or…" Yukino asked calmly.
"I want to stay here." Saki said without hesitation.
"Is it because of Akira-kun? Or because you want a stable life?"
"I want a stable life."
"If Akira-kun asked you to repay your debt..in that way, would you refuse or accept?" Yukino asked.
"I won't say no." Saki said without pause.
Yukino paused at Saki Kawasaki's answer. Saki glanced at her and likely guessed what Yukino was thinking.
"I won't hold him responsible, and I won't bother him. The relationship between him and me will just be a debt repayment," Saki said slowly, word by word.
"Don't you like him?" Yukino asked, turning her head to look at Saki.
"I don't know what liking someone is"
Saki shook her head.
She really didn't understand what it felt like to be liked.
Akira had helped her, and she was grateful, but she didn't feel fondness for him because of the stuff he is doing.
"Let me put it another way. If Akira-kun wanted you to be his girlfriend, would you agree?" Yukino asked.
"Yes. I would treat his words as a job I should complete," Saki replied without hesitation.
"Kawasaki-san, you like Akira-kun," Yukino said with certainty.
"I don't know..," Saki admitted, not denying Yukino's observation.
"I see. Actually, it's impossible to describe this kind of liking in words, but anyone can tell from your answer just now," Yukino said, studying Saki carefully.
"Even if I like him, I will not be with him. Please rest assured, Miss Yukinoshita," Saki said, looking directly at Yukino.
Yukino said nothing.
Just because Saki liked Akira didn't mean Akira felt the same way. But their debt relationship could evolve into something else at any moment.
Yukino considered paying Saki Kawasaki to remove her from Akira's life, but dismissed the thought immediately.
After leaving Sakurasou, the Kawasaki family would likely never encounter someone like Akira again.
After a long pause, Yukino made a decision.
"Ms. Kawasaki, the favor you owe Akira-kun may be repaid in another way," she said.
.....
At dinner,
Sakurasou became lively again.
Yukino and Saki work together to prepare a table full of sumptuous dishes.
Shizuka-sensei wanted a drink, but just as she reached for a can of beer, Kawasaki Kyoka, sitting next to her, gave her a look that made her hesitate.
Akira saw the moment, went to the kitchen, and poured drink for her in a small cup.
Shizuka looked grateful and slowly drank.
Seeing this, Kyoka smiled at Akira. He has said to her that whenever Sensei tries to reach out to drink, just look at her, don't say anything, just look at her. She didn't fully understand the reasoning, but drinking less alcohol was certainly better for her health then excessive drinking.
Meanwhile, Akira tasted the dishes prepared by the two girls.
Yukino's cooking was unique and suited his taste perfectly—undoubtedly the skills she had learned from her family.
Saki's cooking was lighter in flavor but still very delicious. If he were to score them, Yukino's would be nine points, Saki's eight, her cooking would normally be seven but that extra point was because of the comforting taste of home.
Yui sat beside Akira without being able to hide her happy smile.
In Shizuka-sensei's room, most of the talking was done by Shizuka-sensei and Yukino, occasionally saying something difficult to understand for her, but the core issue remained: THEIR HAPPINESS.
Since Yukino had already agreed, she would do her best. She had given the final choice to Yukino, so there was nothing to worry about.
Like the issue of: Saki Kawasaki
When it came to Saki, Yukino's expression showed the matter had been settled. For Yui, this was a difficult problem, but for Yukino, it could definitely be resolved.
Just like she trusted Akira, Yui trusted Yukino completely.
Meanwhile, Yukino's face also shows a faint smile.
She had set a condition that allowed Saki to repay her debt in the best way, temporarily removing an opponent. Akira would also have to adapt to Saki's presence, but ultimately, he would make the final decision. No matter what relationship was chosen, Yukino could accept it.
After all, by that time, she would probably have married Akira.
While the main topic of discussion—Saki sat next to Yukino silently.
For her, this condition was the best option. Her desire to go to college, to change her destiny, increase her value, and earn a good income in the future—all aligned with Yukino's proposal.
She had always been realistic; after her father left, her focus was on supporting the family.
Beyond that, nothing else mattered.
Not even her possible love story.
...
After dinner, the three girls cleared the dishes.
Akira went upstairs and waited for the two girls to come.
In the Kawasaki kitchen,
While cleaning the dishes, Yui didn't ask what Yukino and Saki have discussed but wondered how to tell Akira.
Yukino had already thought about it and could tell Akira about seventy percent.
The remaining thirty percent?
He could guess himself, slowly.
Thinking of this, a smile appeared on her face.
.....
Half an hour later - In Akira's living room,
Freshly brewed black tea was on the coffee table.
Akira sat on the sofa and looked at the time.
Click!
The door opened, and the two girls walked in.
Yukino glanced at the poured tea and walked to the sofa beside her.
Yui followed and as she was going to take her sat beside Yukino but stop, as she soon noticed the placement of the three cups and quietly sat beside Akira.
"Second Miss Yukinoshita, please have some tea," Akira said with mock seriousness.
"You wasted my black tea," Yukino remarked after tasting it.
"Let's start with Saki Kawasaki situation," Akira said.
"You might as well guess what I gave her. The clue is that I didn't let her leave you," Yukino said with a shy smile.
"...My secretary?" Akira guessed after a pause.
"It should be said she's an assistant. How much she can do depends on whether you trust her and allow her to manage the company," Yukino said carefully, word by word.
Akira looked at her in surprise.
"Don't think I can't see that you don't want to manage the company at all. In that case, why not cultivate someone we can all trust?" Yukino said with a smile, looking at him.
"Did your sister teach you this?" Akira asked.
"Everyone grows. I just grow a little faster than others," Yukino replied. Humility was clearly not her strong suit.
...
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Bonus Chapter:-
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6 Bonus Chapter at 100 powerstone